Over the summer, myself (Cody) and Evelyn (my 6 year old) were visiting Lake Superior. There was a beautiful storm on the American side of the lake and we were on the Canadian beach watching the waves roll in. A massive wave struck the beach and we were suddenly in 3 feet of water, the current aggressively drawing us toward the lake. We left the beach immediately and dried off. The danger was minor and the trouble was solved with a towel and new pants. In that moment of fear though, I got a sense of the power of creation and the frailty of human life. Similar to when we see a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis or when we shake a fist to the sky during a tragedy. It is easy during such events to ascribe what happened to God. The challenge this attitude presents is that times of tragedy become times when our faith is tested.

The Japanese word for crisis (kiki) translates into the words “danger and opportunity” it is a mistake to take this connection literally. Often crises draw opportunists but this is not a positive thing. Online, such opportunists have been hard at work pointing to the threefold disaster in Japan (earthquake, tsunami, and the nuclear crisis). They ascribe the act as an act of God. They threaten that doom is soon to come and that people should repent. It’s frustrating to see people even engaging in that conversation at a time like this. My sense is that God’s hand is not guiding us to such acts of opportunism. Our faith calls for a more thoughtful answer.

It is a challenge to reconcile God’s presence in times of tragedy until you look at what people are doing to help. We are all drawn to help in times of tragedy. Moments after the tragedy, people were risking life and limb to rescue strangers. People have lost their lives fighting to stop the nuclear meltdown. Following the destructive wave, there has been a wave of international kindness. We all have a sense that we want to help and that is truly where God’s hand can be felt.

 I always want to be there when I see tragedy. I want to lift rubble and find someone to rescue. I want to find someone sad and be a shoulder to cry on. The feeling is impractical. We can’t all show up in foreign countries when disaster strikes. It is most likely we would be in the way rather than helpful. Here are some things we can do:

 

Pray: Internationally, this is an opportunity to connect with God and petition for kindness.

Donate: Lots of organizations are already hard at work rescuing, recovering and helping people in distress. The United Church has set up a way to give to disaster relief if you follow this link: The United Church of Canada.

Exemplify: Know that acts of kindness are needed on earth right now. It is worth noting that recent disasters have not ended when the media left them. People still suffer in the wake of the tsunami in Indonesia, the earthquake in Port-Au-Prince, or the flood in New Orleans. People locally have also suffered losses and that is a place you can be present and kind. A disaster is a reminder of the world of need. You have been blessed with gifts that can reduce suffering somewhere. Consider where your talents are best spent in times like this. We are guided as a church to participate in the international flow of kindness. This is not a time of conversion, nor is it a time to point fingers and shake fists. This is a time when you have an opportunity to help. Be present to where the hand of God leads you: times of crisis should draw us deeper in faith.

(Evelyn writes a prayer to Japan).

-Cody Creed